Ikebukuro—the lively city center that has everything to offer

Ikebukuro—from parties to pop culture

Ikebukuro is in the district of Toshima, which has long carried a dynamic history and has a well-connected station. Eight train and metro lines go through Ikebukuro station. It's the third biggest station after Shibuya and Shinjuku, and more than two million people pass through it each day.

Here there are restaurants, karaoke bars, anime shops, souvenir shops and game centers, along large streets crowded in the evening. 

Students are also very present due to the area's schools and universities. From the 1920s to the 1940s, there were many artists' studios at the beginning of the Ikebukuro Montparnasse artistic movement, so named because the atmosphere resembled the fashionable Montparnasse neighborhood in Paris. It’s why Ikebukuro has kept its image as a district of art and culture.

A hub for hobbies

There is a lot of shopping to be done in Ikebukuro, but not just for clothing! For many, Ikebukuro is the spot to go for hobby shopping, especially for anything pop culture and “otaku” related. Check out some great shops below for all your needs.

Anime goods

• Pokemon Center MEGA Tokyo & Pikachu Sweets

〒170-6002 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 3 Chome−1−2

For Pokemon fans, this Pokemon Center location is often the first to come to mind. Located inside the Sunshine City mall that goes from the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station, this is the largest Pokemon Center store in the country, selling official goods from the world-famous franchise. 

Across from the shop is Pikachu Sweets, selling Pokemon-themed pastries and other treats!

• Animate Ikebukuro

1 Chome-20-7 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013

Animate is a well-known purveyor of anime goods, and the Ikebukuro location is the largest in Tokyo. There are 10 floors that make up the department store, with different franchises and merchandise featured on each one. Oftentimes, specialty pop-up shops and unique advertisements for major releases are featured at this location. 

• Mandarake Nayuta

〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−50−35

Another major seller for anime merchandise, Mandarake doesn’t discriminate when it comes to the many eras of the medium’s history. Those with older, more classic taste can find quality vintage merchandise, and more contemporary fans will be sure to find new releases as well. 

Card shops

Many of the most popular trading card shops are found in Ikebukuro. Here are a few of our favorites. 

• Bokurano Card Shop

〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−2−1

This smaller card shop is located on the 4th floor of a building near the East Exit of Ikebukuro Station and specializes almost entirely in products for the Pokemon trading card game. The atmosphere is intimate and friendly, and the inventory is well-stocked in terms of single staple cards, vintage collector goods, and in-demand sets. 

• Card Secret

〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−23−9 

A staple of the area, Card Secret has a large playing area and a hefty stock of cards from different games, from Pokemon to Yu-Gi-Oh to One Piece and more! The shop is located on the 5th floor of a relatively nondescript building.

• FukuFuku Trading Cards

〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−9−8

This shop largely appeals to collectors of Pokemon cards. There is no playing area, and the entire stock of the small store is behind glass cases. In the display case at the counter, limited edition play mats and other goods from exclusive events like the Pokemon World Championship are on sale. 

Autres boutiques spécialisées

• K Books

Though it comes from the neighboring South Korea, K-Pop is one of the most popular genres in Japan. There are multiple K Book shops throughout the eastern part of Ikebukuro, some specializing in boy groups and others in girl groups. However, other K Book locations specialize in other goods like video games and character merchandise. 

• ASOBIBA Ikebukuro

〒171-0022 Tokyo, Toshima City, Minamiikebukuro, 3 Chome−9−5

Airsofting is a major hobby in Japan, as it is where the military-simulation game originated. ASOBIBA has a play area for airsofting but also sells equipment and gear while also having a shooting range for the replica weapons.

• Toshima Kogei

4 Chome-12-2 Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0014

This cult-following shop in Ikebukuro specializes in model-building kits, especially for Gundam and other mech-related franchises. The entrance is modest, but those with a keen eye and interest for such goods will instantly see the detailed products in the window. 

Cultural sites

While pop culture and hobbies are a major calling card of Ikebukuro, more traditional culture and arts have a home in Ikebukuro as well. Take a look at some of our favorite museums and theaters in the area. 

• Tokyo Geijutsu Gekijo (Théatre métropolitain de Tokyo)

1 Chome-8-1 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0021

On the East Exit side of Ikebukuro Station is this Tokyo performance venue with four halls for all kinds of shows, including the biggest one for the most prestigious orchestras. It has 1999 seats plus one for Euterpe, the Greek muse of music.

• L'école pour filles Jiyu Gakuen 

2 Chome-31-3 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0021

A former school that has become a cultural heritage site, built in 1921 by the great American architect Frank Lloyd Wright. The light floods this beautiful place that's popular with couples for wedding ceremonies.

• Ikebukuro Engei Jo

1-23-1, Nishiikebukuro, Toshima-ku, Tokyo

This is one of the four main rakugo theaters in Tokyo. Rakugo is a traditional form of Japanese oral comedy. It is located by the West Exit of Ikebukuro Station and dates back to 1951. 

• Rikkyo University

3 Chome-34-1 Nishiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-8501

This historic university is known for its elegant campus and is home to the home of Edogawa Rampo, which has been repurposed as a memorial center. 

Where to eat in Ikebukuro

There is no shortage of good-quality food in Ikebukuro, from casual ramen shops to stylish cafes and great restaurants to dine at with a group! Here are a few of our favorite spots. 

• Men-ya Nakagawa

〒171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−38−7

This ramen shop specializes in toripaitan, a rich, silky type of ramen made from chicken bones. Their signature pork and chicken chashu is tender and flavorful. 

• Kaeru Shokudo

3 Chome-6-1 Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0014

This modest, old-school shop is run by an older married couple and offers a changing menu of delicious, Japanese-style curries. Be sure to get the homemade chiffon cake for dessert.

• No. 18 Hamburger

〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 2 Chome−57−2

One of our personal picks for one of the best burgers in the city. During the weekdays, the limited “Caramel Burger” is a great choice, with a goat cheese topping. 

Tokyo’s center for Chinese cuisine

Ask any Chinese resident of Tokyo where to get the best Chinese food, and they’ll likely say Ikebukuro. Countless shops specializing in different types of Chinese cuisine line the streets of the neighborhood and oftentimes, it is compared to the Flushing neighborhood in New York, providing an authentic dining experience away from the Chinese mainland. Take a look at a few spots below:

• Xiangju Hunan

〒171-0021 Tokyo, Toshima City, Nishiikebukuro, 1 Chome−38−5

Spice-forward and aromatic, this restaurant is on the second floor of a building at an intersection near the West Exit of Ikebukuro Station

• Jiang Lai

B1F, 1 Chome-14-14 Higashiikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0013

This is one of the most established Uyghur restaurants in Ikebukuro. With the Uyghur people being mostly Islamic with Turkic roots, the food is completely halal and features things like lamb and rice pilaf. 

• Keukakaku

〒170-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 1 Chome−1−4

Located near the west Don Quijote, this shop is known for their barbeque, dim sum, and fried dishes that are hearty and great for sharing.

• Yummy Roasted Duck

1 Chome-2-8 Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 170-0014

This shop is noticeable from the roasted ducks hanging from the window. With hearty serving sizes and an easy ordering system with a machine, it’s great for both lunch and dinner. Located right below a love hotel. 

Cafés

• All Seasons Coffee

〒171-0021 Tokyo, Toshima City, Nishiikebukuro, 5 Chome−14−3

A branch of the popular Shinjuku coffee shop, the desserts are as well-known as the beverages. They’re especially famous for their pudding with different ice cream toppings. 

• Comfort Stand Ikebukuro

〒171-0014 Tokyo, Toshima City, Ikebukuro, 2 Chome−1−6

Conveniently located by the Fukutoshin Line entrance on the west side of the station, the stylish cafe has a great set of hand-drip coffees and pastries to choose from. 

• Kimi Ryokan

2 Chome-36-8 Ikebukuro, Toshima City, Tokyo 171-0014

This hip-yet-traditional inn has a cafe that is open to the public with a nice, calming atmosphere. The dirty chai is a great choice for something both aromatic and with a punch of caffeine. 

• Mermaid Coffee Roasters Ikebukuro

〒170-0013 Tokyo, Toshima City, Higashiikebukuro, 1 Chome−23−4

A hip, multi-leveled coffee shop with comfy, stylish seating that is great for spending time with others. Open much later compared to other coffee shops!

Stay at our accommodation in Ikebukuro!

Though Ikebukuro has an eclectic central location, our rental homes in the neighborhood offer an authentic experience within a residential area that is also conveniently located! Take a look at some of our homes to rent in Ikebukuro for your next visit to Tokyo!

• See more of our accommodation options here!

kebukuro in history and pop culture

Ikebukuro as a district has a rich history. Even if its name, which translates to “pond bag,” refers to how the area historically had a number of small lakes. Simultaneously, the name and area are heavily associated with owls, as the “-bukuro” portion of the name also sounds similar to the Japanese word for the nocturnal birds, “fukuro.” Owl motifs and imagery can be seen throughout the town.